"It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice."
-Sam Butera          
 
 
Sam Butera was Louis Prima's lead tenor saxophone player and also a singer. Louis Prima had many hits like the well known "Jump Jive 'n Wail" and "That Old Blackmagic" plus many others. Butera arranged some of Prima's best selling songs such as the medley of "Just a gigolo/I ain't got nobody". Another one of his well know songs is "Next Time". Butera is now considered one of today's swing legends. His sound will live on.

On March 6th, I saw one of the swing greats, Sam Butera at Florida Atlantic Universtiy. He is with a group called The Wildest! The show that they put on was incredible. It was just like a great Vegas style show. Sam's voice has style. So does his saxophone playing! His sound or style hasn't changed a bit from the 1950's.

On March 13th, I saw Sam and the boys play at a night club in Davie called "City Streets". The show that they put on there was twice as long and 10 times as good! Here, I sat much closer to the band and it made the experience all the better. I got to talk to Sam a few times and got some autographs. I also took some great pictures.

 
 
 THE BAND
Sam Butera and The Wildest!
 
Sam Butera
vocals, tenor sax
 
Bob Ruggiero
drums
 
Greg Marciel
trumpet
 
Jimmy James
trombone
 
Arnie Tech
piano
 
Jay Miles
bass
 
 
Pictures
This is the back of their video signed by Sam Butera.
 
Here I am with Sam.
 
Ladies and gentleman... "Living Legend, Sam Butera!"
 
Here is a matchbook that I picked up on my way out of the club.
 
 
 
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